Breech-loading ordnance.



im. 772,345. PATETBD 00T. 18, 1904.

A. H. EMERY. BRBEGH LOADING GRDNANGE.

APPLICATION ILED MAR. Z, 1901. BENEWED MAR. 12, 1904.'

N0 MODEL, 8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 772,345. PATENTE-owls, 1904. A.H.EMBRY.

BRBEGH LOADING ORDNANCE.

APPLIoATIoN HLED MAR. 2. 1901. RBNBWED MAB. 12.1904. No MODEL. e SHEETSSHBET 2.

FIG. 2.

No. 772,345. PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

l A. H. EMERY. BREBOH LOADING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 2. 1901. RENEWED MAR. l2, 1904.

V 8 SHEETS--SHEET 3.

WMZ W2 m5. y f

I I :x 1

NO MODEL.

ATTOHNEYS PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

A. H. EMERY. BREBCH LOADING ORDNANGE. APPLIGATION FILED MAN?, 1901. BENBWED MAB. 12, 1904.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

'/ N VE N TOR WITNESS/5S 'y A. H. 1:11am. BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

A'vPPLIoATIoN FILED MAR. 2, 1901. BENBWED MAR. 12, 1904. l f" NO MODEL.

ein@ m W/ TNE SSE S /N VEN TUI? PATENTE) 00T. 18, 1904. A.H.BMERY. BREBGH `LOADING oRnL/ almav y APPLIOATIONVPILBD MAB.. 2, 1901. RENEWED MAR. 12,'1904.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

NO MODEL.

WITNESSESJ A TTOHNEYS No. 772,34 PATENTED 00T. 18, 19'04.

` A.H.EM`ERY.

BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE. APPLICATION FILED MAE. 2, 1901. EENEWED MAE. 12, 1904. No MODEL. e SHEETS-SHEET 7.

/N VE N TOI? .@.m ILO ZQZOFom@ .QUE NTM zo zorrum@ N Ql.. .DVO .zo 295m@ awa ...vd WN PATENTBD 00T. 18, 1904.

A. H. EMERY.` BRI-:BGH LOADING ORDNANCE. APPLICATIONv FILED MAR. 2. 1901. RENEWED MAR. l2, 1904.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

N0 MODEL.

MMM(

w/EssEs ready to receive the loadingsleeve- IUNITED STATES Patented October 18, 1904.

PATENT E'ErcE.

BREEoH-LOADING ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 772,345, dated October" 18, 1904. Appiicam, nos. Mam 2,1901. Renewed March 12,1904.. sereine. 197,891. on meuf" To (.r/ZZ whom, .7.'1 '111//11'7/ 11071/007177.:

Beit known that l, ALmiivi H. Eiimnga citizen of the United States, and a resident ot' Stamford. in the county of Fairlield, in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and uscl'ul Improvements in Breech-Loading Ordnance, ot' which the followingis aspeciication.

'l`hisinvention is illustrated in the drawings hy twenty Iig-lires, in which Figure 1 shows a plan of the breech of the gun with the-breech-block closed. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is'a plan of' the breech of the gun with the breech-block open and swung to one side. showing the gun Fig'. 4 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 5 isa sectional elevation ofthe breech of the gumshowing the breech -block and its attachments, partly in section and partly in elevation.. in which the upper halt' shows the block locked in position ready for h'ring and the lower half shows it in rotated position with a segment of the locking-nut moved outward to position ready for withdrawal of the breech-block. Figs. 5u and 5 are detail views showing a lockingpin in the respective positions which it occupies when the parts of the breech mechanism are in the respective positions shown in the upper and lower halves of Fig. 5.' Fig- 6 is a rear elevation ot' the breech' of the gun with some of the parts removed. Fig. Tis a rear elevation of the `lneech-bloc'k locked in position ready for tiring. Fig. 8 is av rear ele.-

vation of theI same with the l 1"ccch".-block ro=. tated to nearly unlocked position. r Fig. 9 is a View of the same parts with the block ro.

tated fully to released position ready for withdrawal. Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the vent-cover and partsto which it is at-V tached. Fig. 11 is a rear view'showing a small portion ofthe gun,-a locking-latch 'to secure the block from premature movement voutwardly, a portion ot' a guiding-arm, itsroller, and a part of the track in which it runs, and the locking-spririg which secures it in position when the block is swung to one side. Fig.

^ 12 is a side elevation of this portion ot' the arm, a locking-latch, and the guiding-track which guides thc arm in a portion of its path.

.. Fig. 13 is a sectional View ofthe arm attached to the breech-block, by which it is rotated,

and of the arm. which secures the block to thel bar which carries it out of and into the gun, the sections being taken onthe line C 7. It shows also in elevation a crank-arm, the pinion, and gear-case by which the block is rotated, and the locking stud or stop which secures the crank in position when the block is locked in the breech ot' the gun read yf for liring. i 60 Fig. 14 showa view ofthe same parts, the section beiiig'made on the line. E F, Fig. 8, when the crank has been revolved in block until thegcared block-arm has struck the releasing-catch and nearly reached the lockingy stop. Fig. 15 shows the same parts with the block-arm and carrying-arm in section on the lineG H, Fig. 9,with the revolution fully completed and the crank-stop engaged with the crank-arm, Ilocking it i so while the block Vis swung out of the way for loading. Fig. 16 shows a plan of a portion of the breech of tion, with a section of the arm which attaches it to the`block. lt shows also this bar being in moving the block out or in and a portion 90 of the lever which .operates the inlet-Valve of the pneumatic press'.- l portion ot the gun in section with a sectional elevation of the pneumatic or tiuid press contained in the carrying .ba-r, the valvebar case 9 5 and valve-stem in section, the block through which these parts slide when the breech-block is moved backward and forward and by which they are attached to the gun, and a portion of the guiding-arm which l), Fig. 55

unlocking the4 in position to remain the -gun witirthebay;` which vcarries the breech-block out of and into the gun, partly inelevation and partly in seclt shows also an air aid in moving the Fig. 19 shows a `small guides the carrying- 'roc bar in its outward and inward movements. Fig. 20 shows a small portion' of the breech of the gun iu section with a front elevation of a block which carries the inlet-valve and has a passage communicating with the carrying-bar, this block being plainly shown in section in Fig. 16.

This invention `relates toa means for facili-I tating rapid loading of guns by quickly expelling the powder gases from the chamber of the gun and cooling the breech apparatus and chamber of the gun after tiring and rapidly and easily removing and returning the breech-block.

This invention is best adapted for use With all that class of blocks which are axially Withdrawn from the gun and removed to one side while leading. vided with means to impart to a breech-block a partial rotation to release it. The block may be supplied with the interrupted threads in the usual way; buti have preferably shown itin connection with a gun having a bleek with a continuous thread and an expandingnut which releases on partial rotation, as described and claimed in a divisional application, and the construction of which is as follows:

1n the figures, 1 shows the breech of the gun; 2, the chamber-lining; 3, the breech- `flock; 4. the rotating arm secured thereto by the screws 5.

6 is .the mushroom passing through the block of whicli it forms a part and carrying on its outer -eud the arms 7, which attaches the breech-block to the carrying-bar 8, this bar being supported in position by blocks 9 and 1G, the latter being secured to the gun by screws, the supporting-blocks 9 and 1() permitting the carrying-bar 8 to slide backward and forward therein.

Around the breech-block is a segmental nut 11, divided into any convenient number of parts. The drawings show this nut 11 divided longitudinally into equal parts. Thisnut isthreaded on the interior to fitf the block and on the exterior to fit directly into the breech of the.gun or into an intermediate screw-ring 12. if thethreads on 11 do not fit directly into 4the breech ot' the gun, but into the intermediate ring 12, this ring should be screwed tightly into the gun and carry the two plates 13 and 111, secured thereto by screws 15. The segments of the retaining-nut 11 carry on each end a trunnion 11, which lit in grooves in the plates 13 and 1K1. These trunnions are elongated to prevent the segments from tipping. The grooves in ,which they work are of. such. length and position that when the trunnions are carried to the. innermost part of these grooves the segments of the nut seize tightly tlie breechblock.4 liy revolving thecrank 16 to the left the bloeit- 4 is also moved to the lett, rotating the el: 3, which carries the splines ifi, which 1 have herein shown it pro,

are doweled into the block at 'its rear end and ing secu red to the block by the screws 21). vAt the front end of the segments of the nut l1 are splines '21, dowcled to these segments. The splines 18 and 21 secure the rotation of the segmental nut 11 with the breech-blm-,k 3.

ln Fig. 6 three oi' the segments`11 are shown l tightly locked by the trunnions 11 against the breech-block 3. same position in the upper half of Fig. 5,

which shows the inner threads on nut 11 tightly.

fitting and securing the block 3, while the outer threads ou the nut 11 are seated on their bearing-faces 11h in the retaining-nut 12. 'hen the block 3 is rotated to the'left through one-fifteenth of a revolution, the parts of the segmental uut 11 have a spiral movement and are carried until the trunnions 11 reach the outer end of the grooves in which they are moved?, at which time the outer threads ot' the y segmental nut iit tightly those in the'screwring 12, and they are in a position shown in the lower halves of Figs. 5 and 6. When the parts of the segmental nut have been rotated to their extreme position to the left, they will be in the position shown in the lower. halves of Figs. 5 and 6, vhaving been'moved radially outward suicient to free their inner threads from those of the breech-block to allow the latter to withdraw. The parts of the 'segmental nut 11 carry locking-pins 22, Figs. 5 and 5", with stems 22', around which are spiral springs 23, which th rovi7 them into recesses hey hind plate 14 when the segments 11 have reached their outermost position and the breech -block 3 and 'its plate 19 have been moved slightly outward in themovement of retraction. These locking-pins hold the seg# ments securely in position until thejreturn of the breech-block, so they shall be in the right position to receive the splines 18 and 21, which cause the block and segments of the nut to re- The Y are shown in the volve together. When the block nearly reaches its seat in the forward'movement, plate 19 releases the locking-pins 22 to permit the rotation of the segmental nut.

IIO

24 is a stop-stud secured in the arm 7 bythe.

sleeve Q5. It carries around it a spring 26 to help operate it. At the upper end 0i' this stopstud is a' shoulder 24, against which a lug 16 on the under side of the crank-arm strikes squarely when the blocky locked in position and prevents the further' movementvof the crank in that direction. When the parts have their positions shown in Fig. 13, the lug y16 on the crank-arm tits behind a small rejecting lug 24 on the locking-stud 24 and 'secures the crank in this position.

' When it is desired to release the block, asudden pull three full turns to thelet. The locking-stud 24 has an eccentric-pin 24 projecting from its lower end into a curved path of variable x zo on the crank 16 causes it to spring over the locking-shoulder 24.-" and the crank receivesb depth. (Shown in Figs. 9, 13, 14, and 15.) '.lhe spring 26 causes the stud 24 to move downward to the extent the groove in the arm,4 permits., so that during ,the second revolution the stop is out of the way of thecrank; but at the end of the third revolution the groove will have caused the stop to be raised to active position, with the bearingface opposing further revolution of the crank, the stop hav- IO ing been turned half-way round, owing to the curved form of the groove in arm 4, which, through the action of the pin 24, has caused the stop to revolve the one hundred and .eighty degrees required to have its shoulder 24 op- I5 pose squarely the movement 'of the lug 16ll land stop the crank 16 from further movemcnt,'where it is locked' in position by the lug 24" and held there while the block is `with drawn and swung out of the way during load- 20 ing and returned again to its seat in the gun to be locked there by the required reverse movement of the crank, this locking-shoulder 24" being high enough to hold the crank securely in position until a considerable pres:

25 sure is put upon it to release it.

.The crank 16 drives the pinion17, which meshes with the arm 4 either directly, as is the case with small guns, or through the intermcdiate pinion and gears 17 a 17", (shown in 3 Fig. 7,) which` is the desiredform in the case of large guns. Y l .27 is a cross-head -connecting the carrying- 1 ybar 8 with the case ofthe valve-stem v29 of "fsf the yalveBO, this cross-head being rigidly se Icured to the carrying-bar 8 and valve-stem cover 28, causing the two parts to have longitudinall movement together.

v31 i's a pipe to bring liquid or air to supply l the Huid-press contained in the bar 8. :4o

l '-airor liquid to the the bar 8.

When the block has .been` released from its securing-nut ready for withdrawal, lever 34 (see Figs. 1 and 16) is used to open `the valve press-cylinder formed in by a spline 35, until the block has lbeen car.

ried so far to the `rear that motion of rotation around bar 8 as an axis may properly begin. The arm 35 carries at its outer end' a roller 36, which runs in the track 37, secured to the gun by screws 38. The front part ofthe track 37 isstraight and parallel with the axis of the gun. The extre e rear portionis circulan, the plane of its clrdrlbeingnormal to the axis of the gun. f Between theseV parts is an intermediate curved portion adapted tov 33 is a piston on the pipe 32, which carries 30, when air or Huid under pressure passes ment outward is at that point changed togivi 'it a swinging motion about the bar 8. 'which -has its center of rotation best placed to'onc' side ofthe vertical plane through the axis of the gun, as when so placed the weight of the4 block tends to swing the block outorl the way for loading as soon as ithas been 'withdrawn far'enough lto permit 'such rotation. 'This action ofgrm'ity and the momentum of the block produced by the quick motion to the rearand the action 'of the curved path on the arm causes the .block 'quickly to swing, until the arm 7 has avertical position, when the momcntum in the block causes it to continuev this movement until it has reached its extreme limit of motion to the right, when the springu latch 39 operates to cause the locking-shoulde1m39 to 'engage with the locking-shoulder 35L on the arm and hold t'he 'block in that positiolrwhiletthc gun is loaded, after which asmart, blow on the knob 39" of the latch disengages these locking-shoulders, and the weight of theblock causes it to a'ct as a penf dulum and swing into line with the axis of the gun. vFriction of the moving parts, however, somewhat retards this motionand tends to prevent the block from coming back as far as it should.

v In the carrying-bar '8 are one or more .springs 40, which are set with initial com- 'pression' .and which are still', further ,com-v pressed by the outward movemcntof the bar. .The'compressive load on these springs acts to"return the bar and begin this return as soon as the roller 36 onthe end of the arin has reached the double curved portion of yits path in 37. This action ot' these springs en'- ables the-block yunder its pendulum action to swing into line with theaxis of the gun yand then' move forward to its seat ready to be ro'- tated and'locked in position for firing'. Liq? uid or-air may be used yinthe press-in 'bar 8 to move it either o r both ways. fun-eter it usually to be operated by air in one direction only, preferably outwardly, using not only suiicient pressure to cause the block to move back quickly, but with suiiicient force to the required desired momentum at the latter lpart 'of the rearward motion to assist the pen- IOO IIO

compress the retarding-springs 4() and have dulum action of the block sufficiently to over-2.

come the friction of the swinging partsand cause the block to swing suiieiently faistoAbc` i locked out ofthe way of loading by the springt` latch 39. These springs 40 might be arranged lto be used with tension instead ot' compression;

but I prefer their use, as shown, with comqaression. The valve 30 has around `its stem 29 .a j initially -loaded compression-spring 41. T e initial load on this spring should be suiiiis reached by the adjustable -stop 42 in the outward movement of the blockv where it is' desired .to shut olf the inertia of v .cient to cause itv to shut the valveV 30 when itl 1 position readyfor firing, the vent-cover being f then removed, as previously explained, bythe. arm 4 strikin against the projectionj46. l ln the rapi eetion of ordnance the quick re the block is suliici'ent to continue the outward and rotary movement of the block with and around the bar 8 without further helpof the press. This spring 41 should permit sullicient additional'compression to allow the block to have all the longitudinal motion to the rear that is required. This additional compressionv .of the spring' 41 aids the spring 40 in checking the rearward motion at the latter part of the outward movement of the block and in accelerating the forward movement of the block when it has been swung to thcleft suiiiciently far to allow the forward movement to begin. A pinion 43 onj the shaft 44 is driven by cranks 45t This pinion works in a rack 43a on the bar 28 to move the block out and in when the press in the carrying-bar 8 is not used, orif used when the pressure .from this press is insuiiicicnt to carry the block back under the resistiligaction of the springs 40 and 41 and any unusual friction which may sometimes occurin' the movementsot the parts. Thcblock may be carried in alone by the use of the pinf ion, rack, and driving-cranks; but the block is worked much more quickly to use the s rings 40 and 41 with suiiicient force tocause block to return quickly without-.the help t "of the crank. When constructed as shown and the parts are moving harmoniously', the pneumatic pressure in the bar- 8 should carry the har back in about a second or less, and the pendulum action of the block, aided by'the motion of the inertia of the block moving rapidly to the rear, should swing the block to the required position for loading in'less than a second, and the-pendulum action andthe force stored in the springs 40 and 41 should return the block toits position ready to be locked'in' less than two seconds. Should any delay of this motion occur, owing to dirt or`-frietion of the parts or insuicient-pressure of the air or springs, 'the use of the cranks 45 and theirl connections immediately overcomes any delay land helps the parts move to their proper positions.

46 is a vent-cover carried by the arm 7. (Best shown in Figs. 9 and 10.) At the lower end ot' this coveris an arm -46", with a lug so adjusted that just as the block is locked in po-v sition for firing the arm 4 strikcsvthis lug and removes the cover 46 from the veit-opening 47, where it remains until the block begins' the' reverse movement for unloIcl'inggl when immediately the action of the spring 48 work4 ing against the lug 46" of the cover 46'c`auses the'cover to again swing over the vent, wherev it remains untilfthe block is again locked in moval of the gases fr "om the gunis ver'y desirable, forwhich purpose I bring,through the pipes 31 3'1" 3.! and the passage 32" ingthc arm 7, a currentof ailunder pressure tothe lon-- gitudinal passage through the center of the the valve 49, carried on the stem 50 and .closed tween the packirg-sleeve 52 and'sc'rewcollilr .the valve 30 to quickly expel the gases from the chamber and continues to flow until the valve 30 is closed by the operation of the breech mechanism when the block is moved back sulliciently far, as before described. Means may readily be provided toelose this valve previous to opening the breech-block at all;

the valve is open and remains so until 'the ally closed by the movemeutof the block, as this removes the gases from the chamber suf-` ficiently withvely Slight loss ot" time.` The use of this 'air under suliicient press'nw to the additional advantage that such' air coming paratus and'into thc powder-chamber. Such the pneumatic press andA block, asvdescri'bed, .some Votit is discharged around the breechblock Ito therear of the gun into the turret gunners are working and cooling to anappreaid the gunners in the rapid Aperformance of venting this coming into'the turret creasement where the gun vis `being worked, and, thirdly, keeping theair not only purer, but cooler than would be the case if the compressed `air were not used. This lis very desirable,' 'as the guns. If. the, pneumatic press is used as size of t ic passages 'for the 'airiiowand pressure 'of the airfwill -hfave'to carefulA automatically bythe spring 51, contained beproperly doy the work above referred to has' or compartment inwhich the gunl is placed, keipclling some of the hot Aair in which 4the ciable extent 'the remainder, thus serving to the men become greatly heated when working l mushroom or breech-block, where it opens.

53, mounted on the head of the valve-stem V50,150 .i prevent rearward .iiow of gases when the gun is fired. After firing the gun air is let through l but I prefer the arrangement shown, where block has'moved to the rearward' for a large v portion of its stroke, when it is automaticv from the pump or reservoir becomes greatly expanded in passing through the breech ap-j` expansion .makes it very cold and causes it'to|` rapidly cool the block and. powder-chamberv" lWhen it does not pass through theblock or directly into the chamber, the cooling. effect.b on the block nis mu'ch'less. 1n-passi ng through' ioo .los

this work by first giving rapid action to the". breech block; second, expelling the gases,Y from the powder-chamber of the gun and. pr`e-` here shown', 1 prefer toopenthcfl'alffe by le!" ver 34 ljust.before beginning to loosenthe" breech-blbclirfeady for retraction and allow the airtocontimie to (low through Athepneuuh f matic press and Yblockinto the vgun/'until the" block -isl removed sufficiently .i'ar' to causen` considerable escape ofwaix' toftherear when the valve closedfasfbefore'enplaiiieib' theadjustablestop 42 striking against the cof, larat the end othe spring 41 onlthe valve-f I f the.' neumatic 'press is usedyas shown',the: I

considered and properly proportioned in order that the iiow through the valve 49 may l not reduce the pressure in the' press-cylinder 8 too low to give the proper action or movement to the parts. When the air-pressure is toenter through the valve 30 before the block is released Jfrom its retaining-nut 11, it will be necessary to make use of the locking-latch 54 to prevent rearward movement of the block before it is fully released. The action of this catch is well illustrated inEigs. 7 tol 11, inclusive, where the catch is shown secured on a fulcrum-screw 55 and pressed normally against the stop 56 by the spring 57 When in this position, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the block cannot be removed; but when rotation has occurred until the arm4 strikes'the catch 54,which happens just before the final release, the arm 4t forces the catch or lock 54 to move upward and release the block ready for withdrawal, the catch remaining up, as shown in Fig 9, until the plate 19 has receded beyond it, when under the action' of thespring 57 itagain ialls to the positpn shown in Fig. 11; and remains there untilf'pushed aside by the plate 19 on the rear ofy the block as it renters the gun, when the spring 57 again pushes it tothe position shown in Fig. 7 and locks the ,block in the gun. y A lug on the track 37, projecting over the locking-bar54, holds. it

down against the action of the pneumatic.'

press, which is4 trying to push the block outward when air-pressure is let therein.

Having thus described my invention., whatv l claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patenn is- 1. In combination with' a threaded breechblock rotatingon its own axis to engage or disengage with the breech 'of the gun, an exterior arm to carry the block 4while vreleased from the breech; said arm having an axis of revolution parallel to the axis of the gun, about which it rotates to swing the breechblock out of the way while loading the gun, said arm having mountedupon it'and swing.- ing out of the way with it, va crank and pinion geared to said block for rotatingthe latter on its axis. i

2. In combination with a threaded breechblock rotating on its own axis Ato engage or disengage with the breech of ,the gun,an exterior arm to carry the block while released from the breech; said` arm having an axis of revolution parallel to the axis oi' the gun,l about which' it rotates to swing the breechblock outgot' the way while loading the gun, said arm having mounted upon it and swingingkout bf the way with it, a crankand piniongeared to said block for rotating the latter on its axis', with means also mounted on said arm to lock the crank-.arm against further motion in either direction when the block has been rotated suiiciently to permit its withdrawal from the gun and prevent rotation relatively to the swinging arm while out of the breech.

3., In combination with a threaded block that rotates on "its axis to engage or disengage with the/ breechof the gun, an arin 4i, secured to the block to rotateit, a supporting-arm 7, for said bleek, by which to swing it out of the way'Y when loading, .a crank 16 mounted on Isaid supporting-arm for rotating said blo-ck through the medium of arm et and an automatically-revolving arresting and releasing stop carried by the supporting-arm 7, positively stopping further movement of the crank beyond the desired limit of its motion in either direction.,l but permitting motion in a reverse direction, when locking and unlocking the block. v 80 4. In combination with aithreaded breechblock that rotates on 'its axis-to engage or dis'- engage with the breech oi' the gun, a crankarm imparting said'rotation to the block, and a stop arresting the rotation of the crank in the direction of locking, onlygwhen the block has been rotated until fully locked in its seat,. andin the opposite direction, only when said block has been rotated sufficiently to fully release it for withdrawal, said stop having 90 means whereby it is. withdrawn from the path of thecrank to permit necessary intermediate revolutions thereof, and returning to its arresting position i when the crank reaches its proper limit of motion in either direction. 95

5. In combination with Aa threaded block that rotates on its axis to engage or disengage with the breech ofthe "gun, an arm 4C, secured to the block to rotate it, a supporting-arm 7, for said block, having an axis oi' rotation parallel'to the longitudinal axis of the gun, by which to swing it out'oil the way when loading', a crank 16 mounted von said supporting-'arm for rotating said block throughthe medium' of arm 4, and a rotating reversing-'stop ear-v ried by the supporting-arm' 7, positively ar-l resting and preventing motion of the crank Abeyond the desired limitv in either directiortu when locking and unlocking the block. `6. In combination 'with a threaded bloc that rotates on its.- axis to engage or disenga with the bree'ehof the gun, an arm 4, secul` to the block to rotate it, asupporting-arm', for said block, by which to swing it out etti-1ev way when loading, a crank l'mounted .Oli

through the medium of arm'.4,and 'a reve'rsy'rf` ing-stop carried by the' supporting-arm-v". positively arresting and preventing further motion of the crank when it arrives at the-del- Izo sired limit of its motion in either directionl 'when locking and unlocking the blockyan'd;

means for. reversing said stop to present itl arresting-seat to the crank at the. desired limit of motion in either direction- .'E'MS 7. In combination with a breech-block', aft bar by Which-tlie-block is supported, having f' longitudinal motion vtomo'vethe block out of.. and intoI the gun; said bar. being adapted to rotate about its axis and-having itsL axis'lo- 130 Irs said supporting-arm for rotating saidfblock.

cated on thil gun ahove the horizontal and to one side ol the vertical plane ot' the longitudinal axis oi' the gun to cause the hlocli, under the action ot' its weight, to swing' to one side when withdrawn from the hreech ot' the gun for loading'. and to return to thi` axis of the gun after loading.

i and vice versa.

8. In combination withaln'eech-hlock a har mounted on the gun with its axis ahove, to one side ot' and parallel with the axis oi' the gun, hy which the block is supported to allow it to swing outot' the way when loading, said bar having' longitudinal motion to move the block out of and into the gun, and being provided with a rack, pinion and crank to impart Said longitudinal movement.

9. In combination with the breech-block, a har mounted on the gun, with its axis parallel to, and above and to one side of the longitudinal axis of the gun, provided with longitudinal motion to move the bleek into and out of the gun, adapted to rotate upon its axis to permit the liloclc to he swung out of the way in loading, and provided with means to secure and hold the `lock to one side during' the time of'loading.

l0. in combination with a breech-block, a har mounted on 'the gunwith its axis parallel to, and ahove and to one side ot' the longitudinal axis of the gun, provided with longitudinal motion to move the hlock into and out of the gun, adapted to rotate upon its axis to permit the block to he swung' out of the way I in loading, and provided with an arm 35, rig'- idly secured to said har, and a spring-catch 13. ln combination with a breech-block, a har parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun, provided with longitudinal motion to move the hlock into and out) of the gun,

. adapted to rotate upon its axis to permit the 39, engaging said arm when the hiock has been swung' out of the way, to secure and hold the block to one side f luri'ng' the time ol loading.

l1. ln combination with a ln'eeehdilock,

and its supporting-arm i', permanently secured thereto, a bar parallel to the `longitudinal axls of, and mounted on the gun, provlded with longitudinal motion to move the l l l block Yinto and out ot' the gun, adapted toI rotate upon its axis to' permit the block to he|` swung' out of the wayin loading', and provided with a guiding-arm 35 mounted on and rigidly secured to said bar, and a springcatch 39, engaging said arm when the block;

has been swung' out of the way, to secure and hold the block to one side during the time of loading', and a guiding-track for said arm 35, securing' the propel' longitudinal and rotary motions of the bar 8, and defining' the path of the breech-block during its longitudinal and swinging'motions. Y i y 12. Irl-combination with a breech-block, a block-supporting bar parallel with the axis or the gun having longitudinal movement to carry the block into and out of the gun, and rotating upon its axis to permit the swinging of the block out of the way when loading, the axis of said har being' located to one side of the vertical plane through the axis of the gun,

block to he swung out of the way in loading, and provided with an arm 35, rigidly7 secured to said har, and a spring-catch ijrengaging said arm when the block has been-swung out of the way, to secure and hold the bloclfl to `one side during the time of loading', and "a guiding-track for said arm 35, to secure the proper rotation of the bar 8, and define the path ot' the breech-block into and ont of the gun, said track havinga portion o"=` le length parallel with the axis ot' the gun, a circular portion lying in a plane normal to the axis of the gun, and a curved intermediate part joining these two portions of the track with a curvature adapted tocause the arm to swing the block in such a manner as to translate a portion of the energy due to the axial movement of the block, into aswingiug movement `when the arm is guided hg.' he circular path and vice versa.

14. ln combination with a `meechl loek,l a carrying-liar therefor with its axis parallel to the axis of the gun andhaving a longitudinal movement permitting movement of the breech-block into and out of' the gun, and rotary movement permitting' the block to swing' out of the way when loading, anda spring' opfoo IOS

with its axle` parallel to, and above and to one side of the longitudinal axis of the gun, and having' a longitudinal movement permitting movement of the breech-block into and out ot' the gun, and rotary movement permitting' the block to swing out of the way wl'ienloading, and a Huid-press to impart longitudinal movement to said carrying-bar. 1

16. l n combination with a breech-block, a carrying-bar therefor mounted upon the gun with its axis parallel to, and above and to one side of the longitudinal axis ot' the gun, having longitudinal movement to carry the block out of and into the gun, a Huid-press imparting motion to said block in one direction and a rack, pinion and crank imparting motion in the opposite directipn.

17.I in combination with a breech-block, a carrying-bar therefor with its axis parallel to the axis ot' the gun and having a-longitudi nal movement permitting movement of the breeclubloel: into and out'of the grimaud roy.15 the axis of the gun and having a longitudi-. sage closing againstpressure of gases in the- 8b '4S outlet' the Way when loadingan'd a Huid-press cut-oii'. valve through which airis suppliedt tary movement permitting -the block to swing block is closed, anda valve preventing fiow of out ot' the way when loading, a fluid-press, and, powder-gas through Said "passage at time of a spring to aid .in impartingand control-ling tiring, but permitting introduction of' 'air to the longitudinal movement of said carryingexpel the vpowder-gases after Yfiring andbefore 5 bar. l f openingthe breech-block. i 7C 18.-` In combination with a breech-Mocha. 2li.V A breech-block having an airvpass'age carryingbar therefor, having longitudinal extending through it through which'air may movement to carry thefblockout of and into bejblown to 'eject gases, and a valve prevent. the gun, Minid-press imparting motion to,v `ing backiiowl ot' gasesthrough said. passage' I0 4said block in one direction anda rack, pinion at timeQof firing. 7 5 and crank, and a spring impartingmotion in 25. Abreech-'block'having a passage open` the opposite direction. 1' i ing into 'the chamber off the gun, through 19. In combination with a breech-block, a which air may be blown to remove the gases carrying-bar therefor, witlrits axis parallel to from said chamber,a check-valve in said pasnal movement permitting movement ofthe chamber at time 'of tiring and opened vundel breech-block into and out of the gun, and' ropressure of air' introduced throughthe pas,n

tary movement permitting the block to swing sage to expel ,gases from the chamber. out of the way when loading, and aiiuid-press 26. In combination'with'a gun and its l 2O and a spring toaid in controlling the longibreech-block, a bar 8, with its axis parallel to v35 tudinal movement of said carrying-bar, the the axis of the gun -by which the block is iiuid -press beingr adapted to overcome the moved into and out' of the gun, anfarm 7 sespring and move the block outward, and the curing the block to said bar and a `passage spring adapted to return the block when the through said block, arm and bai-,v through f- 2S pressure of the fluid is partially or wholly rewhich air may be passed to expel the gases 9.0

moved.` from the gun after firing. y 20. In combination with a breech-block, a 27. A breech-block having a passage opencarrying-bar' therefor with the axis parallel to ing into the chamber of the gun, through-v the axis of the .gun and having a longitudiwhich air may be blown to remove thepgases 30 nal movementpermitting movementv of the from said chamber, a check-valve in said pas-2l 9S breech-block into and out of the gun, and rosage closing against pressure of gases in the tary movement permitting the blockto swing chamber at time oi' firing and openedl under, out of the way when loading, and a fluid-presspressure of air .introduced through the pas; 'to impart longitudinal movement tosaidearsage, to expel gases from the chamber, anda.` 35 rying-bar; and a valve through which Huid is cut-ofi' valve through which air is suppliedto supplied to operate said press, adjusted to close said passage. '17 when the blockhas been partlywithdrawn 28. A breech-.block having a passage open-`i`l from the gun. v ing into the chamber of the gun, through 21. In combination with'a breech-block, a which air may be blown to remove the gases 4 carrying-bar therefor with its axis parallel to from said chamber,- a check-valve in said pas- QSJ the axis of the gun and having a longitndisage closing against pressure of gases in the f nal movement 'permitting movement of the chamber at time of tiring andopencd-und breech-block into and out of the gun, and ropressure of' air introduced through the pas tary movement permitting thevblock `to swing. sage, to expel gases from lthe chamber, andA a' to impart longitudinal movement to said'carsaid passage; lmeans for ,withdrawing th r,vingbar,a valvethrough which fluid is sup-- breech-block` from the gun, contro-lling said. plied to operate the press, aninitially-comv cut-oif valve and closing 'thesameiwhen thepressed spring conti-ned lbetweenshoulders"on` `breechjblnek has been'partly Withdrawn from` 50 the stern ofy saidxfvalva'anda moving par 1 the gun. Q' .,brought.into-engagement with-saidspring y 29. In'embinationwithfagun, apneurnatic yFelose the valve after the block has been par-'f press and?.v4 an air passagefconducting com tially withdrawn fromthe gungixsaid spring pressed air` from the press to thefipowder/ ybeing further compressible in the further chamber othegun, an automatic'cheelf-valvI 55 movemcntof the block.v which prevents the backow of powdi ases 22. A gun having an air-passage extending at tlme of firing but permits the iwntr'omdnotion'-v om the gun before into the powder-chamber, through which air of air to expel these gases may be Vblo-w11 tol eject gases," and an auto-j `opening-'thaibreech-block; y

- matic checlfvalve'preventing flow of powder` 30.' Inl combination-.with a'- gun Vits 6F. gases through said passage at time of tiring,- breech-block, a pneumat liess to i'npart but permitting introduction ot' air to expel longitudinal movement to'thefblock, apipe'l" the powder-gases after tiring.' for conveyingrair to operatesaid pressanti j 23. A gun having an air-'passageextending passage through thelbreecliblock, communij'- intothe powder-chamber through'which air cation betweensaid press andjthe chambernf.

may be blown to eject gases while thebreechthe gun, through whichfaiisiipplied to saidfls` i' the gases therefrom, and a clieekvalveii'said passage closing it agains'ttnei gases produced 4in firing. 4 5 31. In combination with a gun, having "a" .threaded breeeh7hloek,a' eat'eh'i, hold'iig the block `against'ilgitudai i\o\,'em'ent, 'andl means for rotating said block to releaseit, engaging said pre-ss enters the c hamberloii` tfhe gun to expel* catch and displacing 1t after the bloeks threads aredisengaged, to permit retraction of saidvblock.` z

32. In combination. withfa-gun and. its threaded breechbloelgmmeans lrotating; said block for unlocking it; a :pneumatic press to l5 impart longitudinall movement tothe bl'ck means for Supplying air to operate said press, and a passage.; 19111,r'nvnicatingbetween said press .and the'ehamber of the gnnggthrough hicb air supplied to'said chamber of, the gun to expel gases therefrom,

after iiring, and a catch holding the block from outward movement,fbnt permitting rotation of the bloekiuntil the threads of the block have been fully released by rotation of `25 the block.

33. In combination with a gun and its threaded impart longitudinal movement of the block, means for supplying air to operate saidI press. ""and a passage communicating between said "pwssi and the chamber of the gun, through which air supplied to said press enters,tl\e chamber of the ,q un to expel gases'therefrom, and a catch holdingr the'bloek ffromoutwar movement until the threads of, the block have beenfully'releasedby rotation of .the'block,

an inlet-valve through which air is supplied, and means to close said valve whe'n the block has been partly withdrawn from the gun.

84. ln combination with a rotating breech' block and its supporting-arm 7, the vent-cover 46.*snpported and fulerumed in said arm, a sprihglg, moving said cover over thevent, mid a ,projection 46 on the vent-cover, in the path of, and engaged by apart of, the rotating block, to throw .tefvent-eover offthe vent while the breech-block remains locked.

ALBERT IIEMLIRY.

VVtnes-sos:

llanvm' S. KNlou'r, EDWIN S. CLaRKsoN.

breech-block., a pneuumtie 4press to 

